Regulation and Function of AtNRAMP4 Metal Transporter Protein

Abstract The NRAMP gene family encodes integral membrane proteins mediating the transport of a broad range of transition metals in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. We studied the regulation of AtNRAMP4 in Arabidopsis. In a previous study, we showed that AtNRAMP3 and AtNRAMP4 transport manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd). In this study, we show that, in contrast to AtNRAMP3, AtNRAMP4 complements the growth phenotype of the zrt1zrt2 Zn uptake deficient yeast mutant. In a previous study, we have shown that, under Fe starvation, AtNRAMP4 mRNA levels are up-regulated in Arabidopsis. To analyze the regulation of AtNRAMP4 at the protein level, we generated specific antibodies against AtNRAMP4 protein. The antiserum was able to recognize a tagged version of AtNRAMP4 expressed in yeast. The antibody did not reveal any change in AtNRAMP4 protein level upon Fe starvation in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia plants. In AtNRAMP4 overexpressing plants, high levels of AtNRAMP4 protein could be detected....